Summer just got a little nicer for most seniors in the Simi Valley Unified School District.

More than 95 percent of the 1,740 seniors in the district passed the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) before 2008 graduation. Only 85 seniors did not pass one or both portions of the exam, which tests English/language arts and math.

Last year, only 88 percent of seniors passed the exit exam.

"Our ongoing goal is to have everyone pass the CAHSEE," said Bill Waxman, director of secondary education. "I am pleased with our progress, but there is always more to do."

Of the students who have yet to pass the CAHSEE- a requirement for graduation- 38 needed to pass both portions of the test. A majority of the others need to retake the math section.

Students who want to earn a diploma from their high schools have one last chance to take the CAHSEE: English/language arts will be given on Tuesday, July 29 and math will be offered on Wednesday, July 30.

Both tests begin at 8 a.m. at Royal High School. Pre-registration goes from June 30 to July 18.

"I think we're doing a great job," said Donna Stapleton, coordinator of secondary education. "I think it had a lot to do with teachers targeting students who needed to pass the CAHSEE and working with them by using specific strategies."

In September, the district began intensive intervention classes. Teachers grouped students together by particular needs. They also looked at students' 11th-grade STAR results and previous attempts at the exit exam. An Internet component was included for students who had trouble retaining information in normal class settings.

Royal High, with five different remediation classes, had the largest intervention program. Apollo had three courses, Simi Valley offered two and Santa Susana one.

The exit exam was first administered in 2001, and the California Department of Education made it mandatory for graduation in 2006.